Sunday, February 11, 2018

I created this parure (set) for the second Miriam Haskell Challenge sponsored by A Grain of Sand. When I think of Miriam Haskell jewelry I think of floral component based
pieces so that is
what I made for the necklace focal. To make the necklace I started with
the round filigree from the kit. I stitched some of the black seed beads
from the kit and a 4mm black round in the
center, then I made loops of the pearly white seed beads that were a
free gift with my kit to
form the black and white flower. I also stitched some of the black seed
beads into leaves. I
was inspired to make this flower by one I saw in my Miriam Haskell book
that was a bracelet
center and was a Robert Clark design. I found a large brass flower in my
stash and
embellished it with more of the pearly white seed beads and used a matte
light yellow glass
flower center. I attached these two flowers to a larger filigree piece.
Next I attached two pale yellow enameled flowers each in a different
shape and with a different black glass flower center. The finishing
touch for the focal was 5 small matte light yellow glass flowers. The
straps were made with the large black faceted nailheads from the kit
plus some I already had.They were spaced out with the black seed beads
from the kit and black size 6 seed beads. I saw straps in my Miriam
Haskell book which were made with black fire polished beads spaced in
this way. Most of the Miriam Haskell pieces that I have seen are very
colorful so black was more unique. I used the black faceted clasp from
my kit for the closure. Next came the earrings. There were a pair of
floral inspired metal pieces in the kit which I used as my earring
bases. I glued black Swarovski crystals into the indentations and hung
one of the yellow set crystal from the kit on the bottom to keep with
the color scheme I had going. Earwires was all that was needed to
complete these simple earrings.
I used the large yellow cabochon with the crescent shaped holes to
create a pin. I wired
one of the yellow AB crystals to the center. It is surrounded by small
black round beads. I
created a harness with wire on the back. To this I attached three of the
yellow set crystals so that they hung below the cabochon. Next I
punched a pair of holes in the metal bow from the kit and used a pair of
oval jump rings on each side to attach the embellished cabochon to the
bow. I used wire to attach a pin back and this creation was done. I had
fun creating these designs. I am working on another pin and I have a
bracelet design in my head too but they will have to be finished after
the challenge is over. It was fun to design these pieces. I hope you like them.

Saturday, February 10, 2018

The necklace I am showing today is made with fish leather. The royal blue salmon skin was imported from Iceland. The people who sell it were the speakers at the last Upper Midwest Bead Society meeting. It was interesting to learn about how the fish skin is processed. The focal beads are enameled copper from C-Koop Beads. I bezeled the two enameled pieces with large royal blue crescent shaped beads and seed beads and added a faceted drop to the bottom cab then sewed them onto the leather. Next I added two bezeled glass cabs as accents. I did use bead backing behind the leather to stiffen the piece and help it support the weight of the beads.When I was done applying the focals I glued ultra-sued to the back to cover the stitching. I edge stitch seed beads with daggers at the bottom to finish the piece. The straps are bugle beads and seed beads in a herringbone pattern. Blue crystal rondelles and silver cones finish the straps. I chose a silver toggle clasp as the closure. I had fun working with something unusual. I hope you like it.

Friday, February 2, 2018

A Grain of Sand bead shop is offering a Miriam Haskell inspired challenge. They sold a kit with vintage beads and asked participants to make something inspired by Miriam Haskell's designs.The picture above is the parure (set) that I created for today's reveal.

When
I think of Miriam Haskell jewelry I think of floral component based
pieces so that is what I made for the necklace focal. To make the
necklace I started with the round filigree from the kit. I stitched
some of the black seed beads from the kit and a 4mm black round in
the center, then I made loops of the pearly white seed beads that
were a free gift with my kit to form the black and white flower. I
also stitched some of the black seed beads into leaves. I was
inspired to make this flower by one I saw in my Miriam Haskell book
that was a bracelet center and was a Robert Clark design. I found a
large brass flower in my stash and embellished it with more of the
pearly white seed beads and used a matte light yellow glass flower
center. I attached these two flowers to a larger filigree piece. Next
I attached two pale yellow enameled flowers each in a different shape
and with a different black glass flower center. The finishing touch
for the focal was 5 small matte light yellow glass flowers. The
straps were made with the large black faceted nailheads from the kit
plus some I already had. They were spaced out with the black seed
beads from the kit and black size 6 seed beads. I saw straps in my
Miriam Haskell book which were made with black fire polished beads
spaced in this way. Most of the Miriam Haskell pieces that I have
seen are very colorful so black was more unique. I used the black
faceted clasp from my kit for the closure.

Next came the earrings. There were a pair of floral inspired metal
pieces in the kit which I used as my earring bases. I glued black
Swarovski crystals into the indentations and hung one of the yellow
set crystal from the kit on the bottom to keep with the color scheme
I had going. Earwires was all that was needed to complete these
simple earrings.

I used the large yellow cabochon with the crescent shaped holes to
create a pin. I wired one of the yellow AB crystals to the center. It
is surrounded by small black round beads. I created a harness with
wire on the back. To this I attached three of the yellow set crystals
so that they hung below the cabochon. Next I punched a pair of holes
in the metal bow from the kit and used a pair of oval jump rings on
each side to attach the embellished cabochon to the bow. I used wire
to attach a pin back and this creation was done. I had fun creating
these designs. I am working on another pin and I have a bracelet
design in my head too but they will have to be finished after the
challenge is over.This is the second of their challenges that I have participated in. I guess I neglected to post pics of what I did the first time. I will do that later. I have been neglecting my blog because my camera is not working and pics from my phone are large which makes them harder to look at on-line.

About Me

HI, My name is Becky. Beads began calling my name back in 2000. They bring me joy. When I have something else to do I can't wait to get it done so that I can get back to beading. When I look at beads I see what they can become. I want to share this joy with others. My greatest wish is that whoever is wearing one of my designs can feel some of the joy I feel in creating my jewelry. I am a member of the Upper Midwest Bead Society.